Currency transfer system and method using fixed limit cards

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a currency transfer system and method which utilizes the existing ATM network but which provides for the temporary assignment of a PIN number and the temporary establishment of a credit limit within an existing account. Using the system a customer can, by using a temporary PIN at an ATM machine, withdraw an amount equal to or less than the temporary credit limit. The depositing customer purchases temporary ATM cards which have contained within them preprogrammed credit limits which are then read into the system under an assigned temporary PIN number.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to currency transfer systems and methods and moreparticularly to such systems and methods which allow one person, nothaving a preestablished account to establish within a common account bymeans of a card having a fixed currency limit thereon, a specified sumof money which can then be removed at a later date either by the sameperson or by specific other people.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The concept of using Automated Teller Machines (ATM's) has, in the pastfew years, become commonplace for the withdrawal of funds from aperson's checking or savings account at any time, whether or not thebank is open or closed. Using an ATM, a person can even obtain cash fromhis or her credit card at any time of the day or night.

The several ATM systems in the USA, and indeed around the world, havebeen interlinked so that a person can travel to virtually any place andby inserting a card in an ATM machine and, supplying a preassignedPersonal Identification Number (PIN) password, can request an amount ofmoney from the account associated with the inserted card. Othertransactions can also be performed during the same session, all byinteraction with the ATM system.

In order to accomplish the desired transaction, the user enters numberson a key pad, or pushes other buttons, all in response to displayedprompts. The prompts can be in English or in other languages selected bythe user.

One basic concept of the present systems are that they require the userto have a preestablished account with a preissued card and with apreexisting PIN. The account can be a bank savings or checking accountor can be a money market account or it can be a credit (or debit) cardaccount, or it can be any one of a variety of other account types. Withsome of the accounts, the user already has an established sum of moneyin the account, and with others, the money is deposited (credited) whenthe user makes a withdrawal from the account.

One problem that the new system and method solves is based on theproposition that a particular user desires to transfer money to someoneelse (a child, for example) in a distant city where neither the user northe child has an account.

A second problem that the new system solves supposes that the user doeshave an account which is accessible from an ATM machine but the child inthe distant city does not have an ATM card for that account.

A third problem is presented by those who are traveling but do not wishto buy and carry travelers checks and also do not wish to carry largeamounts of cash. This problem assumes the traveler does not have (anddoes not wish to establish) a preestablished ATM account. The existingATM system does not presently solve any of these problems which are buta symptom of the more general problem of currency transfer. Today, inorder to move currency from one place to another, the systems andmethods do not differ much from those of many years ago. For example, aperson can take cash to a wire transfer office (such as are maintainedby Western Union) and have money wired to a wire transfer office in thecity where the recipient is located. This supposes that one even knowswhere such offices are located and that the offices are open. Sinceemergencies do not obey 9 to 5 (or even 7 to midnight) hours, and sincepeople without funds tend also to be without a means of transportationto get to the nearest wire transfer office (even assuming they couldfind one), the present wire transfer systems are, at best, cumbersome.These problems are compounded under the existing systems by time zonedifferences.

The cost to establish an electronic network similar to the existing ATMnetwork is enormous. Thus, any solution to the problem must rely, tosome extent, on the existing ATM network which does not, today,accommodate those without accounts and without valid ATM cards.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a currency transfer systemwhich will allow any person to instantly and electronically transfercurrency to any other person even if neither person has a preestablishedaccount and even if neither person has a preissued ATM card.

A further need in the art is for a system which will allow for theinstant transfer of currency between distant people withoutpreestablished ATM accounts and ATM cards while still taking advantageof the existing ATM network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant system contemplates at least one (but as will be seen therecan be several) master accounts. This master account can be sponsored bya nationally known corporation (the sponsor) with retail outlets acrossthe U.S.A., or around the world. The sponsor can affiliate with othercompanies in the U.S.A. or in other countries to provide a world-widenetwork for the system. However, this is not necessary to thefunctioning of the system, and in fact the system will function so longas there is a large network of conveniently placed centers tied into thesponsoring master account. Existing ATM networks are acceptable.

The system and method operate as follows. A person desiring to sendcurrency (the sender) goes to any sponsor's location and buys, for cash,or by using a credit card, a one-time ATM card. The card, in oneembodiment, has a fixed amount of money associated therewith. Forexample, $50.00. In another embodiment, the store clerk programs theone-time ATM card to have whatever amount the sender wishes. Let usassume the first scenario (fixed amount of $50.00 per card) and thesender wishes to transfer $200.00. The sender gives the clerk $200.00(cash or credit card) plus whatever fee is charged for the service. Theclerk then hands the sender four ATM cards, each having the value of$50.00 pre-established thereon. The ATM card, or cards, allow the senderaccess (on a limited basis) to the sponsor's master account.

While not necessary, for security purposes, the one-time ATM cards canbe limited for use only at the ATM machine local to the location wherethe cards were purchased.

The sender then inserts the first of the four cards into the ATM machinewhich recognizes the one-time nature of the card and switches to aspecial control program. This program knows that $50.00 is to bedeposited into the master account. The system then asks the user tospecify how many cards (or how much money) the user wishes to linktogether into the newly created sub-account within the sponsor'saccount. The user answers the question and then inserts the other threecards.

The system creates a sub-account and assigns half of a PIN number tothat sub-account. This half PIN number is given to the sender who isthen asked to add the second half of the PIN number. It will be thisfull PIN number, both halves, that will allow the recipient access tothe money in the sub-account.

The whole PIN number is printed on the receipt which the ATM provides tothe sender and the ATM cancels the one-time ATM card. Any number ofadditional safeguards can be built into the system, such as, forexample, the recipient's name (or state where the money will be removed)may be entered so that if someone were to find the password on thereceipt, that person would still not have enough information to gainaccess to the sponsor's sub-account.

The sender then telephones (or faxes) the recipient and communicates thepassword. The recipient then goes to the nearest sponsor's retailoutlet, pays a small fee (or the fee could have been paid at the sendingend) for a one-time ATM retrieval card. The one-time retrieval card isinserted in the ATM machine, the PIN password is given, and therecipient can then remove an amount of money up to the amount in thesub-account associated with the password. The normal daily limits forATM withdrawals can be adhered to or waived, depending upon the systemparameter.

In another embodiment, the ATM depositor could transfer an amount froman existing account, using his/her existing ATM card. In this scenario,the depositor would establish a transfer amount, and a temporary PIN.This amount would be available for a person using a retrieving ATM cardand presenting the correct password (PIN).

From an operational point of view, the money can move into the sponsor'smaster account in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the masteraccount has an unlimited credit facility and daily settlements are madewith a correspondent bank. The sponsor can presell the one-time ATMcards to each of the outlets in the same manner that other products aresold. Thus, a package of, say twenty ATM cards (each having a $50.00value) can be sold for $1,000.00. Or, assuming the sponsor wishes tomake money (say, $3.00 per ATM card) on the cards as they are sold tothe individual retail outlets, then the package of twenty cards wouldsell for $1,060.00. The retail outlet then, in turn, could sell eachcard to the sender for a markup of, say, $2.00. The sender would thenpay $55.00 for each $50.00 ATM card bought.

A system and method for using a card with a fixed amount of moneythereon is shown in concurrently filed copending application entitled"Currency Transfer System and Method," Ser. No. 07/981,813, in the nameof David H. Tannenbaum.

It is one feature of the invention that an ATM system is designed toaccept an amount from a card and to accept a PIN number and to transmitthe PIN number and the amount to a master account such that the amountcan be removed by a person not previously having established an ATMaccount.

It is another feature of the invention that preprogrammed ATM cards canbe bought by users at one location and these cards can be inserted intothe ATM network such that the preprinted amounts on each card aretransmitted to a central account allowing a recipient, using atemporarily assigned PIN number, access to the account for withdrawal ofthe transmitted amount.

It is a further feature of this invention that a user having anestablished ATM account with an established PIN number may transferamounts (or have amounts set aside) so that a recipient, using atemporary PIN, can withdraw the amount so designated.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows in block diagram form an ATM system of the typecontemplated by the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a representation of a series of sponsor accounts eachhaving sub-accounts contained therein;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the typical modifications necessary to the ATMcontrol for a system to function in the manner described in thisinvention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the assignment of a temporary PIN havingmultiple portions;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the typical modifications necessary tothe ATM control for withdrawing by using a temporary PIN;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a system which allows for transfer froman existing account to a temporarily established account using atemporary PIN;

FIG. 7 shows a typical deposit card having magnetic stripe thereon;

FIG. 8 shows a typical withdrawal card having magnetic stripe thereon;

FIG. 9 shows prior art ATM screen used for communicating with a ATMuser;

FIGS. 10 through 15 show ATM screens used for communicating with theuser in a system described herein;

FIG. 16 shows a machine for adding value to a temporary ATM card;

FIG. 17 shows a flow chart for controlling the accounting functionsnecessary for maintaining proper balances in the master account; and

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing automatic expiration of a temporary PIN.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of ATM System 100 which will be used forthe purpose of describing the operational aspects of the invention. Itshould be noted that ATM systems are currently in place and are morecomplex than shown here. There are many such systems in the UnitedStates and around the world known by various names. Many of such systemsare interconnected so that often a person can go to any ATM machine withan ATM card which has been issued by one system and find that the ATMmachine can process cards associated with many different systems.

For the purpose of our discussion, an ATM card is one which typicallyhas a magnetic stripe thereon and, which contains a number of fieldshaving information prerecorded therein. The data recorded on the ATMcard identifies the system, and the user, and provides otherinformation. System 100 depicted in FIG. 1 comprises several automaticteller machines, such as ATM 14 and ATM 15 connected to ATM NetworkProcessing Central 12. Central 12 could be an existing system, such asthe well-known PULSE ATM system currently existing and which is herebyincorporated by reference herein. The ATM system uses, in someembodiments, a mainframe computer running control programs which are notshown, but which are also well-known to those skilled in the art and areincorporated herein by reference.

ATM 16 is connected to ATM Network Processing Central 13, which can be aseparate existing ATM control system. The systems could be linked bycommunication link 180 if necessary. ATMs 14 and 15 are shown connectedtogether by bus 17, which in turn is connected over telephone wires, ormicrowave relays, to ATM Network Processing Central 12. Of course, ATMs14 and 15 could each be connected individually to Network Central 12.Bus 17 serves to transmit data back and forth between ATM Central 12 andATMs 14 and 15 while ATM Central 13 serves to process information backand forth to ATM 16. Of course, any number of ATMs can be connected toeither Network 12 or 13 and this invention will function regardless ofwhether there is one, two or more ATM Network Processing Centrals.

Each ATM, such as ATM 14, typically includes screen 141, keypad 142,slot 143 for reception of the ATM card, printer 144 for printingreceipts, 147 camera, 145 (optional) for taking pictures of ATM usersand currency (or stored data) dispenser 146. Contained within the ATMmachine is a control system which controls the ATM machine. These ATMmachines can be, for example, a fourth generation NCR terminal or aDiebold terminal.

In order to avoid undue complexity and length of this patent, andbecause they are well-known to those skilled in the art, the operationalaspects of ATM Network Processing Control 12 and ATM 142 will not befully detailed herein except that flow charts will be discussed whichrelate to areas where changes to the standard system must be made.

For a more detailed analysis, and particularly an analysis of the fieldscontained on the magnetic stripe of the ATM card and of thecommunication modes between ATM 14 and ATM Central 12, the reader isreferred to NCR Programmer's Overview No. D1-2485-A entitled "NDC PlusProgrammer's Overview"; and to NCR Publication D1-2486-A entitled "NDCPlus Programmer's Reference Manual"; and to NCR Publication D1-2487-Aentitled "Supervisor's Reference Manual." These publications areavailable to the public from NCR Corporation, 1700 S. PattersonBoulevard, Dayton, Ohio. These publications are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

Continuing in FIG. 1, ATM Network Central 12 is connected via linkage 18to databases containing account information, such as database 10 anddatabase 11. In our simplified block diagram, database 10 could pertainto bank A's information while database 11 could pertain to bank B'sinformation. Contained within each database are accounts, such asaccounts A10 through A21, of database 10.

In the block diagram of FIG. 1, ATM Network Processing Central 13 isconnected via linkage 19 to databases pertaining to bank C and bank D.It will be assumed for purposes of this discussion that banks andcustomers have methods of establishing accounts and placing money withinthese accounts and that proper accounting procedures are in place totrack the various transactions, all of which are standard in theindustry and are well known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 7 shows deposit card 70 (which could be an ATM card) havingcontained thereon magnetic stripe 71 which can have preprogrammed intoit a fixed amount of, for example, $50.00. This amount can, of course,be any amount and as will be seen and can be an amount that is eitherpreprogrammed at the factory or placed onto a card by a machine, such asmachine 1601 (FIG. 16) activated by a clerk in a store, as will bediscussed hereinafter.

FIG. 8 shows withdrawal card 80 with magnetic stripe 81 containedthereon. This card, as will be seen, can be used by anyone to removecurrency from the ATM network by the use of a temporary PIN in themanner to be discussed hereinafter.

Returning to FIG. 1, the operation of the system in one embodiment issuch that a person desiring to establish a temporary withdrawal amountwithin the system would obtain deposit card 70 from a dealer by thepayment of money or by charging the amount of the card to an establishedsource. As discussed, card 70 can be preprogrammed for $50.00 or a clerkat a machine can program onto the card any amount of money as determinedby the depositor.

Once the depositor has in his or her possession one or more depositcards 70, that person (depositor) then inserts the card into slot 143 ofATM 14. The ATM system, as will be seen, reads the card, determines frommagnetic stripe 71 that this is a "sponsored" card and not a normal ATMcard. The system then can assign a PIN number, which can be made up ofmultiple parts, some parts assigned by the ATM system and some partsassigned by the depositor, if desired. This assignment of a PIN numbercan be, for example, cooperatively determined via the use of screen 141and keypad 142 for communications back and forth between the ATM systemand the depositor.

If a system is used having fixed amount cards, a number of such cardscan be linked together and accepted by the system so that the depositoris able to transfer multiples of, say, $50.00. When the systemestablishes the total amount that the depositor wishes to establish thetransaction is ended by printing on receipt 147, via printer 144, theamount that has been deposited, together with the temporary PIN number.

The depositor then communicates, in whatever fashion he or she desires,to another person (recipient) the PIN number and the amount so depositedor credited. The recipient then approaches any ATM machine in thenetwork and obtains, perhaps from a merchant, withdrawal card 80 (FIG.8). The merchant can sell the card for a fixed amount or the card can bedelivered free as a service of the merchant. Contained on magneticstripe 81 of withdrawal card 80 is information pertaining to the sponsoraccount.

In one embodiment, the information on withdrawal Card 80 must match thesponsor identification information which was contained on deposit card70. In this embodiment, it is important for the withdrawal party to knowexactly which sponsor is being utilized so that the proper card can beobtained.

The withdrawing party then inserts card 80 into any ATM machine, such asATM machine 15 (FIG. 1) located at a location remote from ATM machine14. This remote location could be in another state or perhaps even inanother country.

In response to the normal prompts, the withdrawing party enters, viakeypad 152, the PIN number communicated from the depositing party. Thesystem, as will be seen, then processes the information and verifies theaccount number by sending the information to ATM Network ProcessingCentral 12, which then in turn directs the information to database 10 ofsponsor account A10. This sponsor account is the same sponsor accountthat was identified by deposit card 70 since the depositor and thewithdrawer both dealt with a card issued by the same sponsor A10.

After verification of the PIN number, as reported back from account A10as will be discussed, the withdrawer keys in the amount desired. If theamount is less than or equal to the amount in the sub-account, ATMmachine 15, via currency dispenser 156, provides the currency requested.As will be discussed, withdrawal card 80 is then invalidated, orreturned to the withdrawing party, depending upon the design of thesystem.

Turning now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that each sponsor account, suchas sponsor account A10, has any number of sub-accounts, such assubaccounts PIN 00 to PIN XX. Contained within the database, asidentified at each PIN location, is the amount that is associated withthat sub-account, plus, if desired, additional information, such as aportion of the sub-account password. This additional portion of thepassword is passed back to the ATM machine in response to the insertionof card 80 and, as will be seen, is used for identification of theproper recipient.

In operation, since the money is deposited (a credit established), viathe deposit card in one city and can be withdrawn from another city,there is an accounting function which must take place. This accountingfunction is typical for interbank transfers with the difference beingthat the actual amount in sponsor account A10 is maintained by thesponsor and not by the depositor or withdrawer. Thus, periodically thebalances must be summed from all of the sub-accounts to arrive at atotal amount which must be in sponsor account A10. This money can bedeposited in the traditional manner via bank transfers so that thesponsor can maintain the total account either greater than the sum ofthe accounts or just equal thereto. Also systems can be arranged whereat the end of each day the amount of activity in the account is totalledand a charge is automatically made against a separate account maintainedby the sponsor.

From the bank's perspective, each sponsor account appears to be a singleaccount even though, in reality, many different people use the samesponsor account. Thus, using this system, many different individuals maydeposit and withdraw money from a single account from time to time andthese individuals need not be known or identified prior to being able toaccess the account. Of course, the use of sub-accounts is for conceptualpurposes only and in actual practices these would be data entries andlook-up tables established in a master data base within a computer (notshown). The data base would then communicate with a bank on a periodicbasis in order to "balance" the various amounts.

One alternate method of using the system would be for various banks orother entities to issue special "money" cards that they sell throughretail outlets in stores around the country or around the world. In sucha situation, the bank would serve as the "sponsor" and would maintainits own sponsor account. The system would work such that the sponsorbank would have printed on the magnetic stripe of the money cards anelectronic designation of the bank and a designation of a particularaccount within that bank. Again, these cards (assuming a fixed value ofsay $50) would be sold at a premium, for example $55.00, to a potentialdepositor.

This system is envisioned such that a depositor in one city can placemoney in the sponsor account by inserting the money card in an ATM andhave a recipient at another city withdraw that money. The system willalso work for travelers who wish to deposit a large sum of money in anaccount locally where they live and then withdraw the money as they go,perhaps in the currency of a country foreign to that in which thedeposit (transfer) is made. Today the ATM network is used in this mannerby people who maintain regular accounts, but there are a vast number ofpeople who do not choose, for one reason or another, to maintain anongoing account and thus do not have access to the ATM system. Also,today, ATM systems take several days to become active and require agreat deal of bookkeeping by the banks. The system described hereingives immediate access with no paper work.

Before discussing actual system operation, it might be helpful to reviewthe typical transaction with respect to a customer as seen from thescreen of the ATM machine. In FIG. 9, the system shows screen 141 of anATM machine used in prior art systems where, after insertion of the ATMcard, the system instructs the user to enter his/her PIN number viakeypad 142. When the full PIN number has been inserted the user then isinstructed to push accept key 901. The system then functions, aswell-known in the art, by continuing to ask the customer a series ofquestions. These questions include inquiries as to the transaction typethe customer desires, what account the money should be taken from andultimately an inquiry is made as to the amount. All of this interchangeis accomplished with key pad 142 and soft keys 901. During a typicalsequence of events, money is dispensed or a deposit is made via anenvelope being placed in a slot. The customer is finally asked, viascreen 141, whether he/she desires another transaction. In response to a"no" from the user the ATM card is then returned to the user.

In the system described in this invention, as depicted in FIG. 10, theuser inserts the "bought" (sponsor) temporary ATM card which has on it(on its magnetic stripe) data corresponding to the sponsor account. Inour example we will assume this account to be 5555 (sponsor AccountA10).

The system then goes to the database associated with account 555 (A10)and finds an available subaccount, such as subaccount PIN XX.

The system then asks the depositor to establish a four digit number tobe used by the recipient as a PIN or password. Note, of course, thesystem could assign the full PIN number if desired. In our example, theuser inputs 1357 via keypad 142. This number is then displayed on screen141 for verification. When this is accepted, the user presses key 1001,and, as shown in FIG. 11, screen 141 then responds by giving the userthe full PIN number; which in this case is 1357XX and instructs the userthat this number will be printed on the receipt when the transaction isfinished. The "XX" portion of the PIN number is the sub-account numberwithin sponsor account 5555 (account A10 of FIG. 2).

In one scenario, where the amount of money is preprinted on the card,the depositing user need do nothing more unless several cards are to belinked to establish an amount greater than that posted on a single card.The user then would be asked if there are additional cards, and inresponse to a "yes" answer, is instructed to insert these additionalcards, one at a time, under control of screen prompts.

When the transaction is finished the screen would then display theamount deposited and ask for verification. This "deposited" amount isthen transmitted to the central ATM network as a credit to sub-accountXX of account 5555 (A10 of FIG. 2) and the user is given a receipt whichhas printed on it the amount deposited in the account and the PIN numberof the account. The user may also be provided other informationpertaining to the type of system used or the user can be directed tocertain commercial facilities where withdrawal cards associated with thesame system i.e., the same sponsor account, are available.

For example, one chain of gasoline stations may have an accountavailable from stations across the country and their account numbercould be 1234, while a convenience store chain could have a differentsponsor number such as 1235. A user need not know the specific accountnumber, but only need know the identity of the system, or the identityof the sponsoring agency, such as the "Octane" gasoline company or the"Super Fast" store company.

FIG. 12 shows an optional screen designed for systems which provide fortransferring money from an established ATM account to a temporaryaccount or for allowing temporary access by another person to theexisting account for the purpose of withdrawing a preestablished, butvariable, amount from that account. In this situation, the user wouldtypically be transferring, or setting aside, money from his/her ownaccount and would not be using the "bought" temporary ATM cards.However, these two types of arrangements could be linked so that eithertransaction could occur.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, the ATM screen asks for the type oftransaction desired. In this case, the user would press button 1204opposite "cash transfer". Upon pressing key 1204 the screen would, asshown in FIG. 13, instruct the user to enter a 4 digit PIN number to beused by the recipient as discussed above with respect to FIG. 11. Inthis case the user inputs the code 6789 and presses accept button 1301.

The screen then switches to that shown in FIG. 14 and one scenario wherethe user is asked to remove the ATM card and enter a cash (sponsor) cardcontaining the sponsor's identity. When the preprinted card system isused, the sponsor account is preprinted on the temporary ATM card andbutton 1401 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 15, the full PIN number is6789YY with YY being the sub-account assigned for this transaction.

Of course, the system could be designed to ask the user to identifyeither a sponsor account from a list of accounts or the user may beasked to provide a code number pertaining to a system from a list ofcode numbers, either supplied by the ATM screen or supplied by externaladvertising. One important aspect is that the account need not be theuser's own account.

In another embodiment, however, it is possible to design the system suchthat any user who has a preestablished ATM account can allow anyoneanywhere in the world to withdraw a certain prefixed amount from thataccount. The withdrawing party would not have access to the fullaccount, but would be limited to an established amount. Under such ascenario, the depositor would then simply designate his/her own accountas the sponsoring account and the subaccount (credit limit in thedatabase) would be established.

This information, of course, would have to be communicated to therecipient so that upon the proper commands during the withdrawal phasethe bank associated with the first depositor's account is identified.Again, this identification can be preknown to the depositor or recipientor it can be printed on the receipt by the ATM machine in response to aseries of inquiries by the ATM system. These aspects of the system arenot shown in detail but rather are straightforward to implement once theconcept has been discussed and understood by those skilled in the art.The number of system formulations and possibilities and system optionsis limitless and would burden this specification unduly to enumerate allof them or to attempt to provide the actual programming herein.

Returning now to FIG. 3, for a specific operation the user inserts a"bought" card, as discussed above, into the ATM machine which generatesa card insert signal 300 which is equivalent to the good read signalcurrently utilized. Box 301 determines if this is a valid sponsor card.If it is not, then the system reverts to the conventional state flowprocessing which typically would be the PIN entry state in the abovereferenced NCR plus system. Whether or not this is a sponsor card can bedetermined by reading the FIT field or any other field on the card'smagnetic stripe.

Digressing momentarily, the PIN number could be determined at the pointof sale of the card such that the clerk who inputs the amount of moneyinto the card can then give an oral PIN number to the user.Alternatively, the clerk could pass the card through an electronicprinter and encode the temporary PIN number onto the card. Thiselectronic printer could be connected to the central computer network ifdesired.

Continuing in FIG. 3, the system then goes through the optional commoncontrol state 302 and enters into box 303 which determines if this is aninput card or a withdrawal card. If it is a withdrawal card, thencontrol is transferred to FIG. 5 which will be discussed hereinafter.

Assuming now that this is an input card, box 304 assigns a temporary PINnumber as will be discussed with respect to FIG. 4. This effectivelyreplaces the selection state of a typical NCR plus system.

As shown in FIG. 4, box 401 displays a request to the user to provide atemporary PIN such as, for example, a 4 digit number. Box 402 then addsits own PIN suffix (or prefix) depending upon the identification of thesponsor account and sub-account. As discussed previously, this can beobtained from the magnetic stripe of the temporary card or can beobtained by input from the user or it can be obtained from the identityof the ATM machine which can be preprogrammed internally. Control 403then displays to the user the full PIN number. As discussed, this numberhas two parts, PIN I and PIN 2. PIN I would be the number that the userinputted. PIN II would be the portion identifying the sponsorsub-account and perhaps the account.

As will be seen hereinafter, the PIN II portion of the PIN number isutilized to identify the subaccount (database location) within thesponsor account (database) and is thus placed into a database table atthe central control and acts, as will be seen, as a pointer to theproper subaccount under control of information inputted by a withdrawinguser. This could be subaccount PIN XX as shown in FIG. 2.

It should be noted that the depositing user can establish his/her ownPart II PIN subaccount number. However, in this situation it is possiblefor the same sponsor account to have two different users concurrentlyattempting to establish the same PIN number. This can be handled eitherby asking the customer to supply another PIN number or by an automaticmodification of the number dependent upon the time of day and thelocation of the ATM machine or upon any other set of unique parameters.Such a modification need not even be communicated to the user but can bestored in the database. The PIN number that is printed for the user onthe receipt could very well include code numbers indicative of the time,location, etc., so that the full identification number would be uniqueto that user.

Returning now to FIG. 3, box 305 reads the amount pre-established on thesponsor's card. This state replaces the "amount entry state" of the NCRplus system. Box 306 asks the user whether there are more cards to belinked and if the answer is yes the user is instructed via box 307 toinsert additional cards. This then loops until the user answers "no", inwhich case box 308 totals the input to determine a BALANCE and preparesto print via box 309 the balance and the temporary PIN number on thereceipt.

If desired, box 310 asks the user for additional information to deriveadditional data which can be the name of either the depositor or therecipient, a city, an address or something particularly unique, perhapsa birthday, so that if the receipt is inadvertently discarded anunauthorized person cannot use the system. This additional informationwill be well-known to the withdrawing person.

Digressing again momentarily, it should be understood that it is notnecessary to print the PIN number on the receipt. This is done only tomake this system universally acceptable to all people. Because thesystem relies upon the passing of PINs or keys, from one person toanother it is preferable that this number be one that is written down sothat people will not be required to remember a code and will not becomefrightened about losing their money in a system if they forget the code.Thus, providing the full PIN information to the depositing user issimply a user friendly alternative and need not be actuated if sodesired.

However, in one form or another the depositor must provide a unique PINnumber to a withdrawing party and this PIN number must be one which iseasy to transmit orally without interception by unauthorized parties.Thus, if a mother were transmitting money for use by a son at a distantlocation the mother might, for example, say to the son over thetelephone "you may withdraw $200 using the ATM located at a certainspecific brand name gasoline station anywhere in the country using PINnumber 6789 and your birthdate". Since the mother need not transmit thebirthday information on the open telephone an interceptor will not beable to gain access to the temporary account. (In this scenario, themother would be well advised not to use her own birthdate to avoidembarrassment by a forgetful son.) Of course any number of methods canbe devised to make the system more secure as desired.

Returning to FIG. 3, after all of the data is gathered, box 311 sends itto network processing central 12 (FIG. 1). This state would typically bethe transaction request state of the NCR plus system. As discussedabove, at the central system there is established a subaccount withinthe sponsor's account and the amount is stored therein as a credit. Alsostored is the temporary PIN and the other data, via box 312. Box 313either destroys the sponsor card or removes the currency amount from thecard, or in the case of an existing ATM card, returns the permanent ATMcard to the user. This is known as the close state in the NCR plussystem.

Turning now to FIG. 5, we will discuss the sequence of events thatoccurs if this is a withdrawal transaction. Data is received, forexample from box 301 FIG. 3, and the system, via box 501, checks to seeif this a withdrawal card. If it is not, the system either cancels thecard, stores it internally, or rejects the card. If this is a validwithdrawal card, then box 502 asks the user to provide the PIN numberwhich is both PIN I and PIN II as obtained from the depositing party.This is roughly equivalent to the transaction request of the existingsystem.

Box 503 then obtains the sponsor account number from the magnetic stripeon the temporary ATM card purchased by the recipient. This sponsoraccount can optionally be obtained directly from the ATM machine if themachine is dedicated to a particular sponsor. The account can also, ifdesired, be obtained from the PIN information provided by thewithdrawing user.

The PIN II portion of this information is translated via box 504, whichcould be either locally or at the central processing system, into asponsor's account and subaccount number. The subaccount number (PIN II)is used to identify a particular subaccount or database within thesponsor's account.

The information stored at that subaccount location is obtained via box505. This information includes the maximum dollar amount that can bewithdrawn, together with the PIN I information number which will be usedto match up against the information number provided by the recipient.The PIN 1 number could also contain some portion of the other datainformation which is unique to the withdrawing party.

Box 506 then matches the PIN information provided by the recipient fromthe information withdrawn from the identified subaccount. Box 507determines whether or not a match exists and box 508 inquires aboutother information, if necessary, such as name, birth date, address, etc.Box 509 is the "amount entry state" from the traditional ATM systemwhere the withdrawing person is asked to enter the amount desired. Oncethe desired amount is entered, box 514 checks to determine if thisamount is available (preestablished) from the particular subaccount.

Note that even though the main account may have more credit in it, thiswithdrawing user is limited to the amount corresponding to thesubaccount, which in turn is controlled by the PIN number. This is thefeature which allows a user to provide access to his/her own account bysome other person and without subjecting the account's entire balance toimproper withdrawal.

The ATM, via box 510, is then instructed to dispense the proper amountand in box 511 a check is made to see if the subaccount is now zero orwhether or not there is credit remaining in the subaccount forsubsequent withdrawal. If the credit limit is zero, the card can bedestroyed. If there is more credit remaining, then the card can bereturned to the user controlled by box 513.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the typical transaction of an ATM systemusing the NCR plus system. Box 60 accepts the normal ATM card asinserted by the typical user. Box 602 is normal protocol for such asystem; box 603 controls a screen which displays the various serviceswhich the user might wish to avail him/herself of.

Assume that the user asks for the "Cash Transfer" service. In thisevent, a temporary PIN number is assigned which can be a combination ofinformation contained on the ATM card; unique information such as date,time, location, and interactions from the user. The user, via box 605,is asked to enter the amount to transfer (or the amount to be designatedfor withdrawal by the user having a temporary PIN). Box 606 prints thebalance and the temporary PIN number on the receipt. Box 607 sends thePIN and balance to the network processing central, FIG. 1. Box 608returns the ATM card and box 609 controls the establishment at thecentral location of the subaccount (database and established limits)within the sponsoring account and stores the credit amount and thetemporary PIN number which, as discussed above, will be matched by thewithdrawing party.

FIG. 7 shows deposit card 70 with a preestablished dollar amount (say$50) imprinted on magnetic stripe 71. This stripe could have on it aprerecorded bank identification number and could even have a subaccountprerecorded. Alternatively, the subaccount number can be generated asdiscussed previously from unique circumstances at the time of thetransaction. Some portion of the PIN number can be prerecorded or can becreated from a combination of circumstances at the time of thetransaction. This subaccount number can also be established by thecentral processing system at the time of the transaction and can beeither imprinted on the card at the ATM machine or, alternatively, canbe imprinted on the card by a operator working at a machine, such asmachine 1601 (FIG. 16). In such a situation the operator would insert ablank temporary ATM card via insert portion 1602 (FIG. 16) and thenwould keypunch via keys 1603 various amounts onto the card. Thus, if theperson wanted $300 installed on the card, the operator would then input$300 to the card and could then add other information such as theaccount and subaccount.

Machine 1601 could be connected via telephone wires 1604 or microwaverelay (not shown) to the central processing system which would thenprovide data which is representative of the account, subaccount andother necessary information. Under this arrangement, when the userinserts the temporary card in the ATM, the information is already on thecard and the account could have already been established. This operationcan be via machine separate from the ATM machine or by a processinternal to the ATM system.

FIG. 8 shows a typical withdrawal card 80 which includes magnetic stripe81. This card can be a card which has precoded on magnetic stripe 81 thesponsor account number. The withdrawal card can be purchased at aparticipating sponsoring agency, such as a station of the nationalgasoline company sponsoring the card and under one scenario the PINnumber can be told to an operator who can then use machine 1601 (FIG.16) to input the proper PIN and subaccount numbers. Alternatively, thisinformation can be established as discussed previously with respect toFIG. 5 by the user working directly at the ATM machine.

Utilizing this system, a withdrawing person need not have apreestablished ATM card nor a preestablished bank account but could, byobtaining a temporary withdrawal card 80 at various locations, obtainfunds set aside in an existing account. Thus, this system can be used totransfer money around the world on a moment's notice to people who mayor may not have other accounts, thereby making cash instantly availablefor people who are traveling or even for people who are paying billsfrom remote locations.

Certainly it is possible to use the system for borrowing money where thedepositing person makes arrangements with a local credit agency to allowfor the establishment of an account and for the availability of certainamounts at certain times. By using this system, money can be transferredfrom one person to another instantaneously without the creation of paperand without the time delay necessary to move the currency physicallyfrom one place to another.

The system can be designed so that only certain amounts can be removedon any one day and those well skilled in the art may devise manyalternatives and security systems to make the system more practical inits every day operation, always keeping in mind that if the system is tobe used by many people it must be user friendly and easy to use by thosewho might otherwise have difficulty remembering or keeping track of dataand instructions.

FIG. 17 shows a flow chart for a system of settling accounts such thatthe subaccounts of a master account are totalled on a periodic basis,perhaps once a day. Based on the totaling amounts funds are eithertransferred into or out of the sponsor account. The primary reason forsuch a totalling is that the system is being used by a sponsor whocollects money from depositors at one location for subsequentwithdrawals at another location. Thus, the credits in the subaccountsare subject to withdrawal and are constantly fluctuating. It isimportant to periodically check the balances and transfer money into theaccount from another account so that the system is maintained in abalanced format.

As shown on FIG. 17, timer, via box 1701, is set to trigger periodicallyat whatever interval the sponsor (and the bank) feel comfortable. Box1702 totals all the subaccounts of a particular account, say, forexample, account A10. Box 1703 checks to see if the total calculatedfrom all of the subaccounts exceeds the actual balance of that account.If the answer is no, then box 1704 optionally subtracts the excess fromthe account and box 1705 credits the excess to another master account.

If the total in the subaccounts of the account does exceed the balance,then money (credit) must be added to the sponsor account from a masteraccount. This is handled by boxes 1706 and 1707.

At the end of this routine, box 1708 checks to see if all accounts at aparticular bank corresponding to this sponsor have been totalled. Ifthey have not, then box 1709 indexes the accounts and the procedure isrepeated. If all of the accounts have been totalled, then the routineends via box 1710.

In FIG. 18, boxes 1801-1808 show a procedure for checking time limits onsubaccounts and for removing permissions and limits after time hasexpired. This supposes that a time limit is either entered by thecreating user or by the system automatically when the temporary PIN isfirst created.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail with respect to one type of system, it should be understood thatvarious changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

While the invention has been set in an ATM system it should beunderstood that the inventive concepts are usable in any type ofelectronic transfer system where something of value is to be moved fromone person to another without the preexistence of an account for atleast one of the parties. In the embodiment described the commoditybeing transferred is currency, or to be more precise, the commodity is acredit in an account. The commodity could be electronic messages, legaltitle information, images, instructions facsimile, or cryptographickeys, all of which would be within the spirit and scope of thisinvention. Also note that in the embodiment described, when the systemsolicits identification information from the user, that user manuallyinputs the response. However, the response, which is used to create theunique identification code, including the account number and thesubaccount number, could be electronically created without the user'sactive input.

What is claimed is:
 1. The method for currency management between asender and a recipient using the existing ATM network, said methodcomprising the steps of:accepting at an ATM from any one of said sendersa temporary ATM card having a permanently preestablished currency valueassociated therewith; and entering said preestablished amount as acredit in an existing ATM network accessible account and for thereuponestablishing a password with respect to said established credit amount.2. The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising the stepsof:accepting at an ATM from any recipient another temporary ATM cardidentifying said ATM network accessible account; and delivering to saidrecipient under control of said last-mentioned accepting step and theprovision of said established password by said recipient a selectedamount of currency limited by said preestablished credit.
 3. The methodset forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of:issuing one or moresaid temporary ATM cards to said sender.
 4. The method set forth inclaim 3 wherein said issuing steps occur under control of the owner ofsaid ATM accessible account.
 5. The method set forth in claim 2 furthercomprising the step of:issuing one or more said temporary ATM cards tosaid recipient.
 6. The method set forth in claim 2 wherein saiddelivering step includes the step of:verifying said recipient byinquiring into additional information provided by said sender.